Jonas Carneys First Year Squad Adds Proven Performer Back from Injury

Keven LaCombe wont have long to change jerseys. Fresh from Canadian Nationals earlier this month, hell race in the Pan Am Games for Canada later this month, and then officially joins the roster of the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast pro cycling team for the upcoming Tour de Toona.

Despite a broken femur in late 2006, LaCombe, 22, made a rapid comeback, culminating with a third place podium on stage 4b at the Tour de Beauce last month. He joins Jonas Carneys first year squad and will race alongside teammate and Pan Am road race champion, Martin Gilbert. Besides Gilbert, who took second place in stage two of the Nature Valley Grand Prix last month, the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast pro cycling team also includes Canadians Ryan Roth, Mark Hinnen and former Canadian national champion Dominique Perras.

We first talked with Keven last fall about joining the team, says performance director Jonas Carney. But he wasnt sure how his injury recovery would go. Were thrilled hes back and already achieving fantastic results so soon.

Im very happy to be back on the bike, adds LaCombe, and to be invited to race for Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast. This team is really beginning to find its groove and weve got some guys who could definitely be on the podium before the end of the season. Thats down to great management  and Jonas Carney.

This year, LaCombe also took first place in a stage of the Six Days of Berlin UIV-CUP in Berlin, Germany, first in a stage of the six days of Copenhagen UIV-CUP, Denmark and top ten places in the criteriums of the NRC Sequoia Classic, the NRC Merco Credit Union Classic, and the NRC Redlands Classic in California. Before his 2006 injury, he was first in both the road and criterium races at the Canada Games in Regina, Saskatchewan and third in both the under 23 road and criterium races at the Canadian Road Championships in Kamloops, Canada.

Kevens a terrific addition to our lineup, says John Kelly, co-title sponsor and president Kelly Benefit Strategies. Hes going to be a great asset and really help push the squad to the line in our upcoming races.